Dozens of nations to sign U.N. ocean treaty but implementation still awaits

A new U.N. treaty to protect the world’s oceans was signed by 67 countries on Wednesday, another step in efforts to reverse the damage done to fragile marine environments by overfishing and other human activities. It is seen as a crucial tool to meet a target agreed last year to protect 30% of the earth’s land and sea by 2030, known as “30 by 30.” Despite the nearly 70 signatures at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, the treaty needs to be ratified on a national level before it goes into effect. Explained | What the new High Seas Treaty means for India, and the world “With the signature of the High Seas Treaty, we can safeguard the ocean from human pressures, and get closer to our objective of protecting at least 30% of the planet by 2030,” said European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, calling the treaty “our constitution for the ocean.” Mads Christensen, interim executive director of Greenpeace International, described the signings as a “powerful signal” which should help maintain momentum to meet the “30 by 30” target. “Now politicians must bring the treaty home and ensure it is ratified in record time.” The agreement will create ocean sanctuaries where fishing will be prohibited, and also ensure human activity on the high seas is subject to environmental impact assessments.